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AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY, 



COLONY AT LIBERIA. 



PUBLISHED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



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BOSTON: 

PRINTED BY PERKINS & MARVIN. 
1832, 



MASSACHUSETTS COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 

The first Annual Meeting of this Society, was held in the Hall of the House of 
Representatives, on Thursday evening, the 26th of January, 1832. In the absence of 
the President, the chair was taken by the Hon. William B. Calhoun, Speaker 
of the House of Representatives. The meeting was opened with prayer by the 
Rev. Howard Malcom, one of the chaplains of the House. The report of the 
Managers was read by the Rev. E. S. Gannett, of Boston. The receipts of the 
Society, during the year, amounted to nearly $2,000. The meeting was addressed 
by William Ladd, Esq. of Minot, Maine, Thomas A. Greene, Esq. of New Bedford, 
George S. Bulfinch, and Rev. E. S. Gannett, of Boston. 

The following officers were elected. 

OFFICERS OF THE MASS. COLONIZATION SOCIETY, FOR 1832. 

Hon. SAMUEL LATHROP, President. 

Vice Presidents. 

Rt. Rev. Alexander V. Griswold, Theodore Sedgwick, Esq. 

Hon. Henry A. S. Dearborn, Hon. Benjamin F. Varnum, 

Hon. William B. Calhoun, Hon. John A. Parker, 

Hon. Isaac C. Bates, Hon. Stephen C. Phillips, 

Hon. Alexander H. Everett, Hon. James H. Duncan. 
Rev. Samuel Osgood, 

Jerome V. C. Smith, M. D. Secretary, Boston. 

Isaac Mansfield, Esq. Treasurer, Boston. 

Board of Managers. 

Rev. Ebenezer Burgess, Dedham. Prof Sam'l. M. Wob.ct.steu, Amherst Coll. 

Josiah Robbins, Esq. Phjvwutli. George A. Tufts, Esq. Dudlexj. 

Sam'l. T. Armstrong, Esq. Boston. Dr. John S. Butler, Worcester. 

Hon. John W. Lincoln, Worcester. Thomas A. Greene, Esq. New Bedford. 

Rev. Howard Malcobi, Boston. Patrick Boies, Esq. Granville. 

Rev. E. S. Gannett, Boston. Ira Barton, Esq. Oxford. 

Eliphalet Williams, FJsq. Northampton. Bela B. Edwards, Boston. 

Dea. Moses Grant, Boston. Wm. B. Reynolds, Esq. Boston. 

Rev. Charles Train, Framingham. Charles Stoddard, Boston. 

Charles Tappan, Esq. Boston. Rev. William Hague, Boston. 

Hon. George Hull, Sandisfeld. 

The resolution which follows, was unanimously aJupted. 

Resolved, That the clergymen in this commonwealth, of all denominatious, be 
requested to present the claims of the Society to their respective congregations, and 
take up collections for its funds, on the Fourth of July, or the Sabbath next pre- 
ceding or succeeding that day. 



AFRICAN REPOSITORY. 

This work is published in Washington, monthly. Each number contains 32 oc- 
tavo pages — Price, two dollars a year, payable in advance. Any person, who 
obtains five subscribers and remits $10, receives a copy gratis. Every clergyman, 
who takes up a collection for the Society, will receive a copy gratis. 



STATEMENT OF FACTS. 



Organization of the Society. 

The Society was organized at the city of Washington, in the winter 
of 1816. Previously to this period, nothing of importance had been 
done to colonize people of color. 

Its object. 

" The object to which its attention is to be exclusively directed, is to 
promote and execute a plan of colonizing (with their own consent) 
the free people of color residing in our country, in Africa, or such other 
place as Congress shall deem expedient." 

Funds. 

The income of the Society has been gradually increasing since its 
formation, though it never has received assistance from the treasury 
of the general government. The amount of donations from 1821 to 
to 1828, inclusive, was between 882,000 and $83,000. In 1829, 
620,295 61. In 1830, $27,209 39. In 1831, more than $32,000. 

Resolutions of State Legislatures. 

Resolutions, approving the object of the Society have been passed 
in the Legislatures of the following States, viz. ; — New Hampshire, 
Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and In- 
diana. And most of them have recommended the Society to the 
patronage of the National Government. 

VieiDs of distinguished tnen. 

A large number of men, of distinguished eminence, in various parts 
of the Union, have warmly espoused the cause of the Society. Among 
whom are Hon. Charles Carroll, Hon. William H. Crawford, Hon. 
Henry Clay, Jeremiah Day, D. D., Chief Justice Marshall, Hon. Rich- 
ard Rush, Rt. Rev. Bishop White, Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, 
Hon. John Cotton Smith, Hon. Edward Everett, Hon. David L. Mor- 
rill, and Hon. Elijah Paine, of Vermont. Gen. Lafayette is a warm 
friend, and is one of its Vice Presidents. 

Auxiliary Societies. 

Auxiliary Societies have been organized in the following States, viz. : 
^'^aine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New 



York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, 
Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. There are 
numerous other societies, of less extent. 

Establishment and progress of the Colony. 

Soon after the formation of the American Colonization Society, two 
agents, Mr. Burgess and Samuel J. Mills, were sent to Africa to make 
provision for the settlement of a colony. The island of Sherbro, situa- 
ted about 100 miles south of Sierra Leone, was selected as the place. 
President Monroe, being then Chief Magistrate of the United States, 
was favorably disposed towards the project, and lent his influence to 
advance its interests. Two agents were sent by the national gov- 
ernment to co-operate with the agents of the Society. In February, 
1820, the first colonists, eighty-eight in number, sailed for Africa. 
The expedition was an unfortunate one. In March, 1821, twenty-eight 
embarked for the same place. It was now decided that Sherbro was 
unfavorable, from its situation, to the prosperity of the colony, and 
Montserado, situated about 200 miles farther south, was purchased. In 
August, 1822, Mr. Ashmun arrived at the colony with 35 emigrants. 
There had been, several times, some little altercation between the col- 
onists and the natives, though nothing that had demanded much atten- 
tion. Mr. Ashmun thought he could discover signs of a plot to des- 
troy the new settlers. He therefore considered it wise to make provis- 
ion against an assault. Scarcely had the colonists put themselves in a 
defensive position, when they were attacked by about 800 natives, who 
were easily repulsed. Two weeks after, they were again attacked by 
double the former number. The colonists succeeded in maintaining 
their position and the natives were entirely defeated. Probably 
nothing has given the natives so favorable an impression in regard to 
their new neighbors, as this occurrence. Since that time, the colonists 
have been but little disturbed. 

In 1824, the settlement was named Liberia, and the town at the 
cape, Monrovia; tlie latter as an acknowledgement of benefits received 
from the President of the United States. In 1825, several agriculturists 
arrived, who expressed a strong desire to settle upon plantations, rather 
than in the town. For this purpose, a fertile tract of land was pur- 
chased, about twenty miles in length and from three to six in breadth, 
lying on St. Paul's River. Several additions have since been made. 
Emigrants have from time to time been added to the colony, so that 
notwithstanding the numerous obstacles against which the Society has 
been obliged to contend, 2,000 have, by their own consent, been trans- 
ported to Liberia. 

Fertility of the Soil. 

The country called Liberia, extends along the coast one hundred 
and fifty miles, and reaches twenty or thirty miles into the interior. It 
is watered by several rivers, some of which are of considerable size. 
The soil is extremely fertile, and abounds in all the productions of 
tropical climates.* Its hills and plains are covered with perpetual ver- 
dure. It would be difficult to find in any country, a region more pro- 

* See an excellent article respecting Liberia in the Revue Encyclopedique, ' 



ductive, a soil more fertile. The natives, with very few of the imple- 
ments of husbandry, without skill, and with but little labor, raise more 
srain and vegetables than they can consume, and often more than they 
can sell. 

The land on the rivers is of the very best quality, being a rich, light 
alluvion, equal, in every respect, to the best lands on the southern 
rivers of the United States. 

Captain Woodside, after his return from Africa, thus speaks of Cald- 
well, situated seven miles north of the outlet of Montserado; "The 
beauty of its situation, the fertility of its soil, and the air of comfort 
and happiness which reigns throughout, will remain, I hope, an ever- 
lasting evidence of the unceasing exertions of our departed friend, 
Ashmun." 

Agriculf.in'e of the Colony. 

The colonists have not, as yet, paid much attention to agriculture. 
Many of the emigrants cannot wait for the slow returns of agricultural 
industry, but prefer mercantile speculations. The advantages, how- 
ever, of the older mercliants in trade, will diminish the chances of suc- 
cess to the new-comers, and thus they will be led to turn their attention 
to agriculture. The settlement of Caldwell is more of an agricultural 
establishment than the other towns, and is in a very flourishing condi- 
tion. Its farmers hold agricultural meetings to discuss the best meth- 
ods of tilling. 

The colonists have all the domestic animals of this country, and raise, 
in great abundance, many varieties of fruits and vegetables. They are 
turning their attention to the cultivation of coifee. This article, it is 
believed, will prove a great source of wealth to the colony. The labor 
and expense of cultivation is small ; they have only to clear away the 
forest trees, and the plantations are ready to their hands. There are 
two descriptions of this plant indigenous ; one is a shrub, the same, 
probably, as that of Mocha, but yielding a superior flavor. The other 
is much larger, and often attains the height of forty feet. 

iCommercial advantages. 

By the position of the colony great commercial advantages are enjoyed. 
It is the central point in a long extent of sea-coast, and relations of 
trade may be established between it and the interior. Millsburg, situ- 
ated twenty-five miles north east of Monrovia, having several navigable 
streams, may easily be made the medium of commerce between the 
interior towns and the coast. The harbor of Monrovia is formed by the 
mouth of the river Montserado, and is convenient for vessels of moder- 
ate size. 

The commerce of the colony is increasing rapidly. The amount for 
1831, greatly exceeded that of any previous year. During this year, 
forty-six vessels entered the port of Monrovia, twenty-one of which were 
from America. The articles of export are rice, palm oil, ivory, gold, 
shells, dye-wood, &c. The amount of exports the last year was 
$88,911. Some of the colonists own small vessels, which are employed 
in the carrying trade between cape Montserado, and the factories 
along the shore, under the direction of the government. Some indi- 
viduals in the colony have already acquired property to the amount of 



several thousand dollars. Francis Devany, an emancipated slave, who 
went out to the colony eight years ago, testified before a committee of 
Congress, in 1830, that in seven years he had accumulated property to 
the amount of $20,000. 

Among the numerous arrivals at Monrovia, mentioned in the Liberia 
Herald for 1831, is a vessel from France, consigiicd to Devany. The 
trade with the nations of the interior is, of all others, the most profita- 
ble. The large profits, which it yields, may be seen by reference to 
the travels of Laing, Clapperton, and Bowditch. In the article of salt, 
for instance, wJiich may be made in great abundance by evaporation 
all along the coast, the colonists enjoy a very profitable trade. Barter- 
ing in this article, they receive in exchange gold dust, ivory, dye-wood, 
&.C. at the rate of two dollars per quart. 

The nett profits on the two articloe, wood and ivory, which passed 
through the hands of the colonists in the year 1826, was more than 
$30,0C0. 

Climate. 

The charge of unhealthiness, as it respects men of color, made 
against the climate of Liberia, cannot be sustained by facts. Reason 
and experience are both opposed to it. Africa is the birth place of the 
black man, and to which his constitution is suited. It is physically 
his home. There he is lord of the soil, and the white man becomes 
the "lusus naturae." 

The result of a most careful investigation, is, that for jjcople of 
color, the climate is decidedly salubrious. The existence now of two 
thousand persons in the colony, is conclusive evidence on this point. 
To them the climate is as healthy as the southern portions of the 
United States. The western coast of Africa is not desolated by the 
plague as Turkey, nor by malaria as the Antilles. 

" The natives on that part of the coast are remarkably healthy. So 
are the acclimated emigrants. Many of the deaths which have occur- 
red in the colony are to be attributed, not so much to the influence of 
climate, as to irregularity in regard to diet and exposure, and the want 
of proper medical aid." Such were the causes for the great mortality 
among those who went out in the Carolina. But effective measures 
were taken to prevent the like occurrence ; and of the eighty-five per- 
sons who went out soon afterwards, only two small children died. 
When once acclimated, Africa proves a more congenial climate to the 
man of color than any portion of the United States. There he enjoys 
a greater immunity from disease. 

It was to be expected, that during the early years of the colony, 
many deaths would occur for want of suitable houses ; on account of 
the fatigue and danger to which they were necessarily exposed ; and 
more particularly in consequence of their irregular modes of life, 
which were at that time unavoidable. Those days, however, are 
past. 

But the mortality at Liberia is small, when compared with the loss 
of life in the early settlement of this country. The colony which 
settled at Jamestown was, at one time, reduced from five hundred, to 
sixty persons, by disease, famine, and war. In twelve years, after 
,£80,000 of the public stock had been expended, and the v:— - 



Company were left .£5,000 in debt, only six hundred souls remained in 
the colony. Out of the fifteen hundred persons, who came with John 
Winthrop to Boston in 1G30, two hundred died in six months. In 1634, 
after c£ir)0,000 had been expended, and more than nine thousand per- 
sons had been sent out from England to the colony, only eighteen 
hundred remained. 

No mortality like this can be shown in the history of Liberia. The 
blacks from tlie slave-holding States have nothing to fear in removing 
to Africa. Many who have gone out from the Carolinas and Georgia, 
have become acclimated without the slightest attack of fever. 

To the white man the climate seems unhealthy. So is almost every • 
tropical region. But what, if it be so? Thousands of lives are sacri- 
ficed at New Orleans, Havana, and Calcutta every year by men in pur- 
suit of gain; and shall the philanthropist fear to encounter the inclem- 
encies of a tropical climate in order to enlighten and save an ignorant, 
degraded brother of the human family 1 So thought not Mills and 
Ashmun. 

Government. 

A system of government, in which the colonists take part, as far as 
prudence will admit, has been established, and is now in full and suc- 
cessful operation. The supreme government is yet in the hands of 
the society. The colonial agent is recognized as governor. Great 
care is taken by the agent to habituate the colonists to republican 
forms, and to the real spirit of liberty. The election of their magis- 
trates takes place annually. A court of justice has been established, 
composed of the agent, and two judges chosen from among the colo- 
nists. This court exercises jurisdiction over the whole colony. It as- 
sembles monthly at Monrovia. The crimes usually brought before it, 
are thefts committed most commonly by the natives admitted within 
the colonial jurisdiction. No crime of a capital nature has as yet been 
N committed in the colony. The trials are by jury, and are decided with 
all possible formality. The political and civil legislation of Liberia is 
embraced in three documents. 

1. The constitution. This grants them rights and privileges, as in 
the United States, The fifth article of which forbids all slavery in the 
colony. The sixth declares the common law of the United States to 
be that of the colony. 

2. The forms of civil government. By the thirteenth article of 
which, censors are appointed to watch over the public morals, to report 
the idle and the vagabond, and to bring to legal investigation all that 
may tend to disturb the peace, or injure the prosperity of the co- 
lony. 

3. A code of procedures and punishments. This has been extracted 
principally from American digests. Experience has fully shown, that 
these laws are sufficient to preserve the public order, and secure the 
prosperity of the colony. 

Of this government, the colonists in an address to their brethren in 
America thus speak : " Our laws are altogether our own : they grow 
out of our circumstances, are formed for our exclusive benefit, and are 
administered either by officers of our own appointment, or by such as 
possess our confidence. We have all that is meant by liberty of con- 



8 

science ; the time and mode of worshipping God, as prescribed in his 
word, and dictated by our conscience, we are not only free to follow, 
but are protected in following. 'In Monrovia, you behold,' says the 
editor of the Liberia Herald, 'colored men exercising all the duties of 
officers ; many fulfdling their important trusts with much dignity. We 
have a republic in miniature.' " 

Literary advantages, 

The subject of education has ever been one of primary importance 
with the Colonization Society, and its interests have been promoted as 
far as circumstances would permit. In 1827, there were six schools in 
the colony. The education of children has been considerably retard- 
ed for want of suitable teachers — a difficulty which has, in part, 
been removed. In 1830, the Board of Managers determined lo 
establish permanent schools in the towns of Monrovia, Caldwell, and 
Millsburg. They adopted a thorough system of instruction, which 
is now in successful operation. There are also two female schools, 
one of which was established by the liberality of a lady of Phila- 
delphia, who sent out the necessary books and a teacher. A lavv 
was passed the last year in the colony, taxing the real estate of the 
colonists one half per cent.; which tax, together with the proceeds of 
the sales of the public lands, and duties on spirituous liquors, is to bt 
devoted to the interests of education. , 

A public library has been established at Monrovia, and a journal 
(the Liberia Herald) is published by Mr. Russwurm, one of the color- 
nists, and a graduate of Bowdoin college. It has 800 subscribers. 
The commander of the United States' ship Java, thus speaks on the 
subject of education : " I was pleased to observe that the colonists 
were impressed with the vast importance of a proper education, not 
only of their own children, but of the children of the natives ; and 
that to this they looked confidently, as the means of accomplishing 
their high object, the civilization of their benighted brothers of Af- 
rica." 

Religious state of tJte Colony. 

Much is done to promote the cause of religion in the colony. There 
are three churches, a Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian. Divine 
service is regularly attended in them on the Sabbath, and 
on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. In these societies Sabbath 
schools have been established, to which all their most promising young 
men have attached themselves, either as teachers or scholars. Bibles 
and tracts have been sent to the colony for a Sabbath school library. 
A gentleman in Baltimore, the last year, gave $200 for this specific 
object. Several young men of color in the United States are prepar- 
ing to go to Liberia as ministers of the gospel. 

Captain Abels, who visited the colony in 1831, and who spent 13 
days at Monrovia, says : " My expectations were more than realized. 
I saw no intemperance, nor did I hear a profane word uttered by any 
one. Being a minister of the gospel, 1 preached both in the Methodist 
and Baptist°churches, to full and attentive congregations of from four 
to five hundred persons each. I know of no place where the Sabbath 
seems to me more respected than in Monrovia." The colonists are 



f 



remarkable for their morality and religious freling. One who liad 
resided seven years in the colony, said, that during all that time he had 
seen but one fight, and that was provoked by a person from Sierra 
Leone. To prevent intemperance, they require $300 for a license to 
sell ardent spirits. Many of the settlers are engaged in acquiring 
religious instruction. 

The little band at Liberia, who are spreading over the wilderness 
around them an aspect of beauty, are in every respect a missionary 
station. Many of the neighboring tribes have already put themselves 
under the protection of the colony, and are anxiously desirous to re- 
ceive from them religious instruction. " We have here," says tlie 
colonial agent, "among our re-captured Africans many who, on their 
arrival here, were scarcely a remove from the native tribes around us, 
in point of oiviilzatiou, but who are at present as pious and devoted 
servants of Christ as you will find in any community. Their walk 
and conversation afford an example worthy of imitation. They 
have. a house for public worship, and Sabbath schools, which are well 
attefi/^^'l. Their church is regularly supplied every Sabbath by some 
otic of otir clergy. As to the morals of the colonists, I consider them 
inuch better than those of the people in the United States ; that is, you 
■^ay take an equal number of inhabitants from any section of the 
tJnion, and you will find more drunkards, more profane swearers and 
Sabbath breakers, than in Liberia. Indeed, I know of no place where 
things are conducted more quietly and orderly. The Sabbath is more 
strictly observed than I ever saw it in any part of the United States." 
The Rev. Mr. Skinner (the Baptist missionary, who went out to the 
colony a few years since, but who, like other devoted servants of Christ 
in the same field, has fallen) said, "1 was surprised to find every thing 
conducted in so orderly a manner, and to see the Sabbath so strictly 
observed. Thus we see that light is breaking in upon benighted Af- 
rica. May it be like the morning light, which shineth brighter and 
brighter until the perfect day !" 

Means of Defence. 

The colonists have but little to fear from the native tribes around 
them. These they have completely intimidated, so that they have no 
fears of an incursion from any or all of them. The exposure of the 
colony is on the sea-shore. Their means of defence here are, a forti- 
fication, and several small vessels,six volunteer companies of 500 men, 
which compose the national militia, twenty field pieces, and 1,000 mus- 
kets. They have reason to fear an attack from the pirates, those 
enemies of human happiness, who frequent the western coast of Africa 
to kidnap the blacks. These freebooters have sworn eternal enmity 
against the colony. And it is feared, should two or three such vessels, 
well armed, attack Monrovia, they might do very great injury, notwith- 
standing all the means of defence which the colony could bring against 
them. 

Progress of iJie Society and Colony during 183L 

In no one year has the society gained such important accessions of 
strength as during the past. The insurrectionary movements among 
the slaves at the south, have opened the eyes of many on this subject. 
Men of influence and distinction have laid aside their opposition, and 



10 

warmly espoused the cause of the Colonization Society. The State of 
Maryland has set a most benevolent example to her sister States, in 
granting from her State treasury 6200,000 to enable the free blacks of 
that State to remove to Africa. It is truly a noble, patriotic act! 

Up lo October, 1831, the society had fitted out nineteen expeditions, 
and landed upon the shores of Africa 1,831 persons, including re-cap- 
tured Africans, to all of whom a farm or town lot had been granted. 
Four towns have been established — New Georgia, Millsburg, Caldwell, 
and Monrovia, which are all in a flourishing condition. Tlie colonists 
have now good and substantial houses, some of them handsome and 
spacious. In view of the efforts of the society, and the flourishing 
state of the colony, the venerable Thomas Clarkson, not long since, 
remarked to the society's agent in England, "that for himself he was 
free to confess, that, of ail things which had been going on in our favor 
since 17S7, when the abolition of the slave trade was first seriously 
proposed, that which was going on in America was the most impor- 
tant." To the same individual, Wilberforce, no less benevolent, said, 
"you have gladdened my heart by convincing me, that sanguine as had 
been my hopes of the objects to be accomplished by your institution, all 
my anticipations have been scanty and cold compared with the reality." 

The last accounts from the colony represent the aspect of things 
there, the health, harmony, order, industry, and general prosperity of 
the settlers, in a light peculiarly pleasing to every friend of the injured 
African. During the past year, several distinguished gentlemen have 
■visited Liberia. Captain Kennedy thus speaks of the colony, "With 
impressions unfavorable to the scheme of the Colonization Society, I 
commenced my inquiries. I sought out the most shrewd and intelli- 
gent of the colonists, and by long and wary conversations, endeavored 
to elicit from them any dissatisfaction with their situation (if such ex- 
isted), or any latent desire to return to America. Neither of these did 
I observe. But, on the contrary, I could perceive that they considered 
that they had started into a nrjo existence — that disencumbered of the 
mortifying relations in which they formerly stood in society, they felt 
themselves proud in their attitude. 

"Many of the settlers appear to be rapidly acquiring property; and 
I have no doubt they are doing better for themselves and for their 
children, in Liberia, than they could do in any other part of the 
world," 

The colony now consists of 2,000 persons. It is provided with two 
able physicians and a full supply of medicine. A hospital has been 
erected during the past year, intended particularly for sick emigrants. 
The progress of improvement is rapid. The elements of wealth and 
greatness, namely, commerce, agriculture, and a Christian population, 
are fully enjoyed. 

*' Nothing strikes me," says Dr. Mechlin, " as more remarkable, than 
the great superiority in intelligence, manners, conversation, dress, and 
general appearance in every respect, of the people over their brethren 
in America. The prospects of the colony were never brighter than at 
present. (1831.) The improvements in agriculture, commerce, build- 
ings, &c. during my short visit to the United States, have been aston- 
ishingly great. In Monrovia, upwards of twenty-five substantial stone 
and frame dwelling-houses have been erected within the short space of 



11 

five months. Indeed, the spirit of improvement has gone abroad in the 
colony, and the people seem avi^ake to the importance of more fully de- 
veloping the resources of the country. Our influence over the native 
tribes in our vicinity is rapidly increasing. Several tribes at their 
urgent request have been admitted under our protection. This I find 
the most effectual way of civilizing them; associating with the colo- 
nists, they insensibly adopt our manners, and thus, from a state of 
paganism, tbey become enlightened Christians." 

How forcibly do these facts teach us that there is nothing in the 
physical, or moral nature of the African, which condemns him to a state 
of ignorance and degradation. Extraneous causes press him to the 
earth. Light and liberty can, and do, under fair circumstances, raise 
him to the rank of a virtuous and intelligent being. 

Kxiension of Civilization and Christianity into the Interior. 

There is reason to believe, that nearly all the tribes in the neighbor- 
hood of the colony are disposed to place themselves under its protection. 
The natives esteem it no small privilege to be permitted to call them- 
selves Americans. They frequently prefer to have their disputes set- 
tled by the civil courts of Monrovia, rather than by their own usages. 
Eight or ten of the chiefs of the towns on the north eastern branch of 
the Montserado river, lately united in a request that they might be re- 
ceived and treated as subjects of the colony, and that settlements might 
be made in their territory. It is the intention of the Board to comply 
with such requests wherever practicable. Thus the oppressed natives 
of Africa will find in the colony of Liberia, a power friendly and Chris- 
tian, ready at all times to be exerted in defence of the helpless. Mea- 
sures have been taken for exploring the interior, and also for ascertain- 
ing the comparative advantages of different points on the coaSt, for the 
founding of new settlements. The territory chosen as most favorable, 
and on which the Managers have directed that a settlement shall be 
forthwith commenced, is that of Grand Bassa, distant about 80 miles 
from Monrovia, intersected by the river St. Johns, of easy and safe 
acess to vessels of 80 to 100 tons, fertile, salubrious, and abounding 
in'tamwood, rice, and cattle. The chiefs and head-men have recent- 
ly sent a pressing invitation to the colonial agent to visit them, and to 
establish a settlement among them. The whole course of the Junk 
river has been examined, (this river is more than 50 miles long,) audit 
is found to afford many situations well suited for agriculturists. The 
whole region may soon be covered with cotton and coffee plantations. 
" The civilization of the interior of Africa," in the language of Mr. 
Edward Everett, •' is a topic which has not received its share of con- 
sideration. Of this mighty continent, four times as large as Europe, 
one third part at least is within the direct reach of infijcnces, trom the 
west of Europe and America, — influences, which, for 300 years, have 
been employed through the agency of the slave-trade, to depress and 
barbarize it; to chain it down to the lowest point of social degradation. 
I trust these influences are now to be employed in repairing the 
wrongs, in healing the wounds, in gradually improving the condition 
of Africa. I trust that a great re-action is at hand. Can it be believ- 
ed that this mighty region, most of it overflowing with tropical abun- 
dance, was created and destined for eternal barbarity ?" 



12 

History of Slavery. 

It is generally agreed that as early as 144i2, the Portuguese accepted 
some negroes from the Moors, as a ransom for Moorish captives. These 
were reduced to servitude, and their value rose so rapidly that in a few 
years upwards of thirty ships were fitted out for importing negroes. In 
150^J, the Spaniards began to employ African slaves in the mines of 
Hispaniola, the island now called St. Domingo, or Hayti; and in 1517, 
Charles V. of Spain, at the solicitation of a Roman Cardinal, (Las 
Casas,) granted his patent for the importation oifour tliousand slaves 
annuaihj into Cuba, Jamaica, Ilispaniola and Porto Rico. The first 
enslaved Africans were introduced into this country by the Dutch in 
1G20, and were landed and disposed of, (20 in number,) at Jamestown, 
the first settlement in Virginia. They were subsequently introduced 
in great numbers by the English, but not without the bcrioua rc7non- 
slrancc of the colonists. They even proceeded so far as to present, in 
1773, to George III. a petition, praying that the introduction of slaves 
might be discontinued. They speak in strong and decisive language : 
" We are encouraged to look up to the throne, and implore your ma- 
jesty's paternal assistance in averting a calamity of a most alarming 
nature. The importation of slaves into the colonies from the coast ol' 
Africa, hath long been considered as a trade of great inhumanity , and 
under its present encouragement, we have too much reason to fear, 
will endanger the existence of your majesty's American dominions." 
Mr. Burke, in a speech on American conciliation, says, " her refusal 
to deal any longer in the inhuman traffic of human slaves, was one of 
the causes of her quarrel with Great Britain." And it is much for the 
credit of the framers of our Declaration of Independence, that among 
other grievances set forth in that memorable manifesto, it is declared 
that the king had violated our rights by "prompting our negroes to 
rise in arms against us — those very negroes, whom, by an inhuman 
use of his negative, he has r fused us per7}iission to exclude by law." 
This generous feeling at length died away, and the ships of the north 
and south have vied together in the odious practice of importing slaves 
into the United States. 

Abolition of the Slave Trade. 

As early as 1792, Sweden passed laws prohibiting the importation of 
slaves into her borders after 1803. In 1807, the governments of Great 
Britain and the United States passed similar enactments, to take effec' 
after March, 1808. But these were nearly a dead letter, until it was 
further declared, afterwards, that the Slave Trade is piracy, and that 
those proved to be engaged in it shall suftr death. 

Slave Trade still carried on extensively and ivith great cruelty. 

In defiance of all laws enacted, it is estimated that not less than 
50,000 Africans were, during the last year, (1831,) carried into foreign 
slavery. During the months of February and March of the same year, 
2,000 were landed on the island of Cuba. Two English vessels, tiie 
Fair Rosamond and Black Joke, tenders of the Dryad frigate, cruis- 
ing oft" the coast of Africa, captured tliree slave ships which had origin- 
ally eighteen hundred slaves on board. The Fair Rosamond first cap- ^ 
tured a vessel with 106 Africans, and shortly after saw the Black Joke.* 



13 

in chase of two others : she joined the pursuit, but the vessels succeed- 
ing in getting into the Bonny river where they landed GGO slaves be- 
fore the pursuers could take possession of them. They found on board 
only 201) Africans, but understood that the crew had thrown overboard 
180, chained together, and four only out of the whole, were picked up 
and delivered fron) a watery grave. 

"The slaves, male and female, are crowded into the iniddle passage," 
says Sir George Collier, who lately commanded a squadron on the 
coast of Africa, "so as not to give the power to move, and are linked 
one to another by the legs or neck, never to be unfettered while the 
voyage lasts, or till their iron shall have fretted the flesh almost to the 
bone ; forced under a deck, as I have seen them, not thirtij inches in 
,Ji€ight, breathing an atmosphere the most putrid, with little food and 
less water. In this louthsomc pri^^on, thousands die in the ravings of 
despair, and many when let out to breath the halmy air, rather than 
return to their dungeons, plunge themselves into the ocean to sleep 
among its pearls and corals." 

African Colonization the best check on the Slave Trade. 

The country now occupied by our colony on the coast of Africa, 
has been, until recently, a seat of this cursed traffic. At the present, 
no slave ships visit that coast, and the adjacent chiefs have given up 
the trade, some voluntarily, and others by compulsion. The colony 
at Sierra Leone has also put an end to the trade in that region, and 
cleared the coast for many miles of slave vessels. It is in a great 
measure owing to the co-operation of these colonies with our own gov- 
ernment, and that of Great Britain, that the African slave trade has 
been so effectually checked. With ail the former vigilance of the lat- 
ter powers, without the united efforts of the former, little would have 
been accomplished, comparatively, in detecting iherobbers, not only of 
property, but oi men, women and helpless children. 

Colored population in the United States. 
According to the census of 1830, there were in 



F 


•ee blacks. 


Slaves. 




Free blacks 


Slaves. 


Maine 


1,207 




Georgia 


2,483 


217,470 


New Hampshire 


623 




Alabama 


1,541 


117,294 


Vermont 


885 




Mississippi 


529 


65,659 


Massachusetts 


7,006 




Louisiana 


16,7.53 • 


109,631 


Coiineclicut 


8,004 


23 


Tennessee 


4,513 


142,382 


Rhode Island 


3,565 


14 


Kentucky 


4,816 


165,350 


New York 


45,080 


46 


Ohio 


9,586 




New Jersey 


18,307 


2,246 


Indiana 


3,565 




Pennsylvania 


37,990 


386 


Missouri 


546 


24,990 


Delaware 


15,829 


3,305 


Arkansas 


138 


4,578 


Alaryland 


52,942 


102,878 


Michigan 


253 


27 


Virginia 


47,102 


469,724 


Floridas 


840 


15,500 


North Carolina 


19,575 


246,462 


Dist. of Col 


jmbia 6,163 


6,060 


South Carolina 


7,915 


315,665 




Free. 


Slaves. 


The whole number of colored people in 


1830 were 


319,476 


2,010,572 


The census of 1820 was 






223,540 


1,-538,064 



Making an increase in 10 years of 



95,936 



472,508 



14 

The increase of the colored population during the last year (1831) 
Was nearly 52,000. 

Condition of the free colored people in the Uniteel States. 

We may form some opinion of the condition of the free colored peo- 
ple in tills country, from the reports of our state prisons. In Liberia, 
since the establishment of the colony, there has scarcely been a crime 
committed by one of the colonists, which in this land would have sub- 
jected him to confinement in the penitentiary; while in this country 
during the same period our prisons have been full of these unfortunate 
people. In Ib2(J, the free colored people in Massachusetts comprised 
one seventy-fourth part of tlie entire population, and yet one-sixth part 
of the convicts. Jn Connecticut they were one thirty-fourth of the pop- 
ulation, and yet furnisiied one-third of the convicts. In Vermont there 
were but 018, of whom 24 were in the penitentiary. In New York 
they composed one thirty-fifth of the entire population, and yet had 
one-fourth of all the convicts. In Pennsylvania they were as in Con- 
necticut, but more than one-third of the convicts were from their ranks. 
In the States of Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York, the en- 
tire colored population in 1823 was 54,000, and for the support of 
the convicts from this small population, these Stales, in ten years end- 
ing with 1823, have expended righty-ttvo thousand nine hundred and 
tliirty four dollars. In 1827, the returns from several prisons showed 
that while the number of white convicts was stationary, in some in- 
stances decreasing, that of the colored was increasing. 

Throughout the non-slave-holding States, as a body, they are idle, 
ignorant and vicious. For this reason, Ohio, not long since, passed a 
law, compelling them to leave her territory, or to give security for their 
good behavior, which not one in fifty could do. These outcasts from 
human sympathy sought refuge in Canada, while that country in turn 
has petitioned Parliament to forbid their entering the British pos- 
sessions. 

In the non-slave-holding States, it is estimated that they do not com- 
pose more than one-fortieth of the entire population, and yet, it is said 
that about one-sixth of all their paupers and convicts are colored. The 
reason of all this is obvious. In these States there are from one to two 
hundred thousand persons, who are nominallif free, but who have no 
interests in common with the community — at liberty to act, and yet have 
no motive for exertion. Instances of emancipation have not essen- 
tially benefitted the African, and probably never will, while he remains 
among us. In this country, public opinion does, and will, consign him 
to an inferiority, above which he can never rise. 

Emancipation can never make the African, while he remains in this 
country, a real free man. Degradation nmst and will press him to the 
earth ; no cheering, stinmlating influence will he here feel, in any of 
the walks of life. If he go to Liberia, the scene will be changed : 
there he may rise — there he may and will, if he act correctly, feel the 
ennobling influence of public opinion urging him onward to high and 
manly exertion. 

Slavery a great national evil. 

Those who are conversant with the debates in the Virginia legisla- 
ture on this subject the last winter, need no proof that slavery has been 



15 

a curse, at least to the States tolerating it. In them the spirit of indus- 
try and enterprize has been checked. Many of the young and active 
citizens have soucrht a more happy and congenial home in the " distant 
west." Tiie enterprising men of New England, and of other countries, 
aware of the discredit cast upon white labor in slave States, have min- 
gled with the tide which so rapidly flows into, and nourishes non-slave- 
holding States. Facts speak louder than words. The white popula- 
tion 

Of Pennsylvania in 1820, was 1,018,000, in 1830, 1,309,296, increase in 10 years, 290,322 
OrViro-inia, 'in 1820, -was 602,000, in 1830, 694-,139, increase in 10 years, 92,138 

making the ratio of increase per cent, in Pennsylvania to the same in 
Virginia, nearly as 9 to 5. To what, if not to slavery, shall we attri- 
bute this dispmpnrtion.ite' increase of the white population in these two 
States? Something similar might be said of other slave States. These 
appalling facts have not escaped the vigilance of at least some of the 
guardians and legislators of our slave States. These and their kindred 
topics called forth, in the last Virginia legislature, efforts and feelings, 
which we believe will continue until the evil is wholly eradicated. 
The community in that State are awake on this momentous question. 
Among the memorials presented to the Legislature, we find one from 
the '.-'lies of Fluvanna, which speaks in terms like these ; " We cannot 
conceal iVom ourselves that an evil is among us, which threatens to 
outgrow the growth, and eclipse the brightness of our national blessings. 
A shadow deepens over the land, and casts its thickest gloom upon the 
sacred shrine of our domestic bliss, darkening over us as time advances. 
We reflect with gratitude that no error in the framers of our constitu- 
tion, entailed this evil upon us. We drew that taint from the bosom 
that fostered us, which is gradually mingling with the vital principles of 
our national existence. It can no longer remain dormant and inert in 
the social system, but calls loudly for redress from the sages of our 
land. To their honor be it said, these sentiments will find a res- 
ponse in the breasts of thousands of Virginia's fair daughters." The 
same may be said of her sons, who so recently boldly discussed and 
defended the rights of suffering humanity. In the language of one of 
the speakers ; " The spell has been broken, and the scales have fallen 
from our eyes. These open doors, those crowded galleries, and this 
attentive audience, prove to me that I am at liberty to speak any and 
every opinion which I entertain on this subject. For two hundred 
years the thoughts, words and actions of Virginians have been suppres- 
sed, and a solemn silence has closed the mouth and stifled investiga- 
tion on this subject. The question of slavery is one which seems in all 
countries, and in all ages in which it has been tolerated, either directly 
or indirectly to have called to its aid a mystic sort of right, a supersti- 
tious veneration, that has deterred even the most intrepid mind from an 
investigation into the rights, and an exposure of the wrongs, on which 
it has been sustained." 

Another speaker remarks ; " Has slavery interfered with our means 
of enjoying life, liberty, property, happiness and safety ? Look at South- 
ampton. The answer is written in letters of blood, on the soil of that 
ijnhappy county." This is strong language, and especially in the ears 
*" those who were acquainted with the insurrection alluded to. In 



16 

tliat cool-blooded butchery, fifty-five whites fell victims to the incensed 
negroes. The ring-leader, before his execution, i-felated the circum- 
stances of an assault upon a family composed of a widow, a son, and 
several daughters. The rest of the party reached the house, entered 
it, and commenced the work of death before he arrived. As he ap- 
proached, a lovely female rushed out of the house and took shelter 
under the covering of a cellar, but perceiving she was detected, fled 
from her retreat, pursued by the negro, who, by a few strokes with a 
broken sword across the head and neck, prostrated her at his feet, and 
then picked up a fence-rail, and despatched his victim. 

These are a kw of the calamities, attendant upon slavery, in our 
country. At the present time, the peaceful citizen, when he lays his 
Iiead upon his pillo^" at night, plrxes his pistols near hi'=! bed, vcndy to 
take alarm at the iirst idle noise ; ana mothere, at the thought of South- 
ampton, trembling for their own safety, press more closely to their 
bosoms, tlieir helpless infants. Is it then surprising that emigrants 
should stand aloof from slave States, and that many of their own sons, 
foreseeing the gathering tempest, should flee from it ? In the language 
of one of the speakers, above alluded to, " If the slave population 
increase as it has for some years past, in the year 1880, less than fifty 
years hence, there will be in the seven States, Virginia, North Caro- 
lina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Misp'.oippi,' 
more than five milUcns of slaves, an amount too appalling for a states- 
man not to apprehend some danger. I acknowledge I tremble for the 
fate of my country, at some future day, unless we do something." 
" What," says another, "will be the result, when every State, which has 
heretofore afforded the immense drain to your black population, amount- 
ing 10 85,000 annually, sball have closed her market ; when every State 
south of us shall stand sword in hand, to guard their country against the 
importation of our slaves into their borders? When the great south- 
western world refuses, [as it since then has,] to permit the sale of our 
slaves there 1 When this whole redundant population shall be thrown 
back upon our State, I ask you what will be our fate 1 Those moun- 
tains, amid which our security has been felt, will no longer be secure ; 
our tall forests will fall before the stroke of the slave ; our rich soil will 
be tilled by the hands of slaves, and our free and happy country, will 
become the homo of the slave." Who that knows any thing of slavery 
in this and in other countries, does not have sin;ilar fbrebotlings, unJ if 
so, does not feel it to be a national evil? The genius of our govern- 
ment is such, that the peace and prosperity of the whole is invested in 
apart. Our political interests are embarked together, and together 
must stand or fall. Like the human frame in its connection, where the 
decay of one limb, unless restored, endangers all, so the different States 
are bound together by indissoluble ties. It is in this symmetry and 
union, we behold so much to excite surprise and astonishment. In this 
lies the strength, prosperity, and perpetuity of our national gloiy. 
Who does not" feel that slavery has already interrupted the peace and 
harmony of this union, and will continue to be a subject of contention, 
while a vestige remains? If then it be a national, as well as a moral dis- 
ease, and if°the ships of the north— of New England, (as we have 
seen,) have aided in producing it, why not unite, one and all, in ap- 
plying the remedy ? 



LBJa'|2 



